Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

Proverbs 14:1-2

1. The Wise and the Foolish are contrasted

a) The wise builds her house

b) The foolish pulls it down with her hands

2. The upright and the perverse are contrasted

a) The upright fears the Lord

b) The perverse despises God

THE PRACTICE OF THE FEAR OF GOD

26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:26-27

1. The fear of the Lord

a) It has to be cultivated

b) It involves a diligent search for knowledge and wisdom

2. There are significant blessings that come to those who fear the Lord

FOUR BLESSINGS HIGHLIGHTED

1. The blessing of confidence

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence    Proverbs 14:26a

a) Confidence has a number of features

i) Clarity

ii) Certainty

b) There is strong confidence felt

i) The confidence comes from the Lord

ii) The confidence is given by the Lord

c) Confidence is found in the following:

i) The Promises of God

ii) The Power of God

iii) The Presence of God

2. The blessing of Refuge would be extended to the children

And His children will have a place of refuge   Proverbs 14:26b

a) Parents who fear the Lord

b) Their children would be blessed

c) Wherein is the blessing?

i) The wise counsel the children may have

ii) The support they would receive

iii) God’s hand of blessing would be their protection

3. The blessing of Life

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life   Proverbs 14:27a

a) The Lord is the Source of life

b) He is able to give those who fear Him a fountain of life

i) A word of promise was extended by the Lord Jesus to a Samaritan woman   (John 4)

ii) Faith in the Lord Jesus leads to find a fountain of water that springs up to everlasting life   (John 4:14)

c) The fear of the Lord is the basis of this promised fountain of life

i) It is a reward

ii) It is a special blessing

iii) It should encourage us to practise the fear of the Lord

4. The blessing of escaping from the snares of the world

To turn one away from the snares of death   Proverbs 24:27b

a) There are many snares in the world

i) Some are obvious and they can be avoided

ii) Some snares are harder to detect and thus pose a danger

b) Those who fear the Lord will find special protection

c) The Lord will grant grace and wisdom to turn away from the snares that lead to ruin and death

d) This is a blessing that God grants those who fear Him

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To find encouragement to practise the fear of the Lord

2. To be grateful for these blessings that we may receive from God

3. To heighten our understanding of how we may fear the Lord